Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/222

 216 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Wednesday MADISON .4ugust 8 been tried. The elections inPhila. N. York & Boston where the Merchants, & Mechanics vote are at least as good as those made by freeholders only. The case in England was not accurately stated yesterday (by Mr. Madison) The Cities & large towns are not the seat of Crown influence & corruption. These pre- vail in the Boroughs, and not on account of the right which those who are not freeholders have to vote, but of the small- ness of the number who vote. The people have been long accustomed to this right in various parts of America, and will never allow it to be abridged. We must consult their rooted prejudices if we expect their concurrence in our propositions. Mr. Mercer did not object so much to an election by the people at large including such as were not freeholders, as to their being left to make their choice without any guidance. He hinted that Candidates ought to be nominated b 7 the State Legislatures. On question for agreeing to Art: IV- Sect. x it pass& nero. con. Art. IV. Sect. 2. taken up. 8 Col. Mason was for opening a wide door for emigrants; but did not chuse to let foreigners and adventurers make laws for us & govern us. Citizenship for three years was not enough for ensuring that local knowledge which ought to be possessed by the Representative. This was the prin- cipal ground of his objection to so short a term. It might also happen that a rich foreign Nation, for example Great Britain, might send over her tools who might bribe their way into the Legislature for insidious purposes. tie moved that "seven" years instead of "three," be inserted. 4 Mr. Govr. Morris zded. the motion, & on the question, All the States agreed to it except Connecticut. Mr. Sherman moved to strike out the word "resident" and insert "inhabitant," as less liable to mlsconstruction. 3 Article IV, Sect. 2. "Every member of the House of Representatives shall be of the age of twenty five years at leaat; shall have been a cltizen of the United State8 for at least three years before his election; and shall be, at the time of his election, a resident of the State in which he shall be chosen."  gee Appendix A, LXVIII.

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